Get the lowdown on today’s opponents: Chertsey Town.
The Opposition
Chertsey Town enjoyed a successful start to life in the Southern League Premier Division South, with a 16th place finish last term after winning the Isthmian League Division One South Central the previous season.
The Curfews showed flashes of promise during the campaign, most notably a standout FA Trophy run that included a memorable 1–0 victory over National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, but remained consistent enough to establish themselves in the seventh tier.
Jack Mazzone was a standout with 30 goals in all competitions, and was enough to replace the goals of Gianluca Botti, who scored prolifically before moving to Tonbridge Angels mid-season, while the likes of Olly McCoy, Conor Lee and Toby Little all contributed to keeping the Curfews safe last season.
It’s all change at Alwyns Lane though, with Mark Harper stepped down from his role in the Chertsey dugout after a successful two years, with former Raynes Park Vale boss Josh Gallagher taking the reins in Surrey, and has already made an impact with bold signings including his cousin Jordan Gallagher, along with several familiar faces from the Vale.
The Manager
Josh Gallagher
A former midfielder, Josh Gallagher largely competed in semi-professional football during his playing days, turning out for the likes of like Metropolitan Police, Chipstead, Staines Town, Leatherhead and Dorking Wanderers, and established an extensive career in non-league football before transitioning into coaching.
Having spent more than five years coaching with the Chelsea Foundation, Gallagher briefly took on a coaching role at Aldershot Town before making his mark in his first management role, masterminding a promotion-winning side at Raynes Park Vale, leading the team to Combined Counties Premier South title in 2022/23 to seal their first ever promotion to Step 4.
Under his guidance, the Vale also achieved an impressive sixth place finish in their first season in the Isthmian South Central, but despite the success achieved during his tenure, he was dismissed in February 2025 with the team sat in play-off contention.
However, after spending a few months out the game, Gallagher was appointed as manager of Chertsey Town in June 2025, inheriting a side that had narrowly avoided relegation and has been tasked with returning the club to the play-offs places in the Curfews’ search for a place in Step 2.
One to Watch
Jack Mazzone
Jack Mazzone fired home 25 goals last term as Chertsey Town finished 16th in the Southern League, a standout return that will no doubt be a key weapon once again next season.
A product of the Woking academy, Mazzone rose through the ranks at the Laithwaite Community Stadium before spending time on loan at Hendon, and later found his stride during a two-year stint with Godalming Town as he looked to kick-start a career within football. He produced strong goal returns of 11 and 17 goals across his two seasons with the G’s, and was followed by further stints at Knaphill, Tooting & Mitcham United and FC South Park, before making the switch to Metropolitan Police in 2018 after an impressive return of 32 goals in 2017/18 for the latter which prompted the Old Bill to bring him to Imber Court.
He went on to spend several seasons with the Met, top scoring in each one and spearheading the attack in East Molesey, with his most prolific period coming in the 2019/20 campaign when he scored 15 league goals in 27 matches, including 20 goals in all competitions, and he went on to accumulate over 200 appearances in all competitions during a four-year spell.
This preceded a brief spell at Horsham, hitting the ground at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium with 24 goals in 44 appearances, a team-high in his maiden campaign with the Hornets, before joining Chertsey Town two years later.
He continued his goal-scoring form at Alwyns Lane, striking another team-high tally of 25 goals in 40 league games, including 30 in all competitions, and established himself as one of the most dangerous forwards within the lower tiers of non-league football.
Last Time We Met
Sutton overturned an early Jack Mazzone goal to secure their place in the First Round proper with a 3-1 win away at Chertsey Town.
The Curfews took a shock lead when Mazzone volleyed home after four minutes, but Sutton quickly restored parity through Matt Rush’s first goal for the U’s, converting a Josh Coley cross from close range just three minutes later.
Sutton then made sure a cup upset wasn’t on the cards when a long ball from Tyler French picked out Coley who brilliantly took it down and cut inside before curling a wonderful effort into the top corner that gave Nick Jupp no chance, and they made their dominance pay in the second half when Ben Nicholas-Mason turned an Ashley Nadesan cross into his own net, condemning the Curfews to defeat in the Fourth Qualifying Round.
Relive the victory here.
Played for Both
Charlie Ide
A former forward, Charlie Ide gained experience on loan at Sutton during the early stages of his career in the Brentford academy, before forging a career in non-league following his departure from the Bees which saw him spend some time at Chertsey Town.
After coming through the youth system at Griffin Park, Ide made his first team debut in 2004 and showed promise during the 2006/07 season with a run of appearances, but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter and gained experience out on loan.
Spells with Slough Town, Sutton and Lewes saw him enjoy standout stint with the U’s, scoring multiple early goals including a brace against East Thurrock United as well as adding another two goals in an emphatic 4–0 win at Bognor Regis Town, elevating Sutton’s attacking threat during his brief spell at Gander Green Lane.
After being recalled by Brentford, Ide went on to appear almost 50 times in the Bees’ first team, but dropped into non-league football upon his departure, and went on to maintain a steady presence in semi-professional football, turning out for Grays Athletic, Wivenhoe Town, Croydon Athletic, Carshalton Athletic, Chertsey, Bedfont Green, Hayes & Yeading United, Walton Casuals, Bromley, Merstham, North Greenford United and Staines Lammas.
